How I became a British Expat in Thailand is not like the plot of many works of fiction written about the country. You know how it goes, ageing Western man meet nubile Thai lady, they fall in love and live happily ever after (sometimes).
No for me my journey to eventual retirement here started when I first visited the Land of Smiles back in 2000, although of course I didn’t know that at the time since I was happily settled in the UK.
To say I fell in love with the country and people straight away is not to far from the mark, because I subsequently returned on three other occasions before deciding to move here. But even so I had still not even thought about retiring let alone doing it overseas.
So what tipped the balance for me, well a failed relationship and lack of fulfilment in the UK set me thinking where my future lay. Add to that the UK crime rate and the generally quality of life to be found in rural Nottinghamshire, not to mention the weather and It wasn’t long before I started to explore the possibilities of moving here on a permanent basis.
I could afford it I argued as I had two private pensions, I was in good health and have always enjoyed travel. I had also lived abroad before albeit as a soldier in the British Army.
Generally speaking I got a lot of encouragement when I voiced my proposals although I am sure a few friends thought I was heading to Thailand for some of the seedier treats on offer. Actually with no dependants to consider the move here was quite easy and now a year on I am starting to feel very much at home.
Right that’s how I got here but here’s a bit of advice I would like to give to anyone considering a similar move.
Before you make any decisions about taking on the expat lifestyle particularly as a retired person, I would suggest you think long and hard about how you will fill your time, because believe me will find you have a lot of time. Sadly many expats find this hard to handle having been used to the cut and thrust of daily life in the UK. Many drink to excess, indulging themselves in the more dubious pleasures of the country perhaps even falling foul of the law.
Most who take this route return to the UK, disillusioned, laying the blame for their demise on everything but themselves.
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